The B.C. Lions have packed their bags and left Kamloops after two weeks of training camp (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By Chad Klassen

LIONS TRAINING CAMP

B.C. Lions ready to get real season going after ‘nice and relaxed’ camp in Kamloops

Jun 5, 2019 | 4:55 PM

KAMLOOPS — A short walk-through on Wednesday ended what may have been the most laid back Lions’ training camp we’ve seen in Kamloops.

“Yeah man, it’s new-school football,” said receiver Duron Carter. “Old-school football is out the window. We’re coming in nice and relaxed.”

That doesn’t mean the Lions didn’t get to work. First-year head coach DeVone Claybrooks made sure the players got down to business when it was time.

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“They were energetic. They were flying around,” said Claybrooks. “We didn’t really have to face that grind because we played that first preseason game. So we had the grind in the middle, broken up by FanFest. It was, all in all, a great training camp.”

The Lions left Kamloops Wednesday for Vancouver, where they host the Stampeders Friday. It will be their final tune-up game before the season-opener at home June 15 against Winnipeg.

“I want the defense to be fast and physical and fly around,” said Claybrooks. “I want the offense to be dynamic. A physical run game. A dynamic pass game. I think we have the tools and the kids in place to do that and to follow that plan.”

Mike Reilly will start under centre. The eyes will be on him and Duron Carter to see what kind of chemistry they’ve developed during camp.

“Hopefully we can get something going, something deep early. It would be a really nice start to the season,” said Carter. “But for us, it’s just getting some kind of offensive production, moving down the field, however many drives that we’re in. Just always moving forward.”

Reilly added, “Our first group should get a decent amount of time in there to try and get a little bit of momentum and get things going. But no matter if it’s one drive or the whole game, you just want to come out and make sure you execute at a high level.”

Carter says the offense has looked great during camp and looks forward to seeing what it can do.

“I think we’ve looked very explosive at times,” he said. “Our defense has gotten the best of us some of the times, but that’s what’s expected. Overall as a team, we’ve progressed and I think we’re going to be formidable.”